An all-female Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation (ME&I) commercial team is making history on the West Gate Tunnel Project, demonstrating exceptional capability, collaboration and commercial leadership on one of Victoria’s most complex infrastructure undertakings.
The team comprises a group of full-time commercial professionals supported by part-time specialists from the wider project commercial team. Together, they are responsible for managing the commercial and financial performance of the ME&I zone, including all upstream and downstream contract management activities.
A key achievement has been the successful conversion of a multi-million-dollar lump-sum ME&I subcontract into a new and innovative commercial model mid-project.
Commercial Manager Mithra Firestone, who currently leads the ME&I commercial team, said the rare and highly complex task required deep technical expertise, negotiation skills and teamwork.
"This conversion has been instrumental in improving efficiency and supporting the project’s overall progress," she explains.
"The ME&I zone has been required to deliver an enormous volume of work within compressed timeframes. This commercial team has been critical in ensuring the delivery team has the resources, frameworks and visibility needed to keep the works moving while maintaining robust cost control and forecasting accuracy."
Gareth Barrett, Commercial Director for the West Gate Tunnel Project, describes their contribution to the team as immeasurable.
"Not only for their commercial expertise but for their adaptability, problem-solving ability and commitment to achieving successful outcomes under pressure."
The success of this all-female commercial team highlights the increasing leadership and impact of women across all facets of the construction industry, reinforcing the value of diverse, skilled teams in delivering Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects.
The team comprises a group of full-time commercial professionals supported by part-time specialists from the wider project commercial team. Together, they are responsible for managing the commercial and financial performance of the ME&I zone, including all upstream and downstream contract management activities.
A key achievement has been the successful conversion of a multi-million-dollar lump-sum ME&I subcontract into a new and innovative commercial model mid-project.
Commercial Manager Mithra Firestone, who currently leads the ME&I commercial team, said the rare and highly complex task required deep technical expertise, negotiation skills and teamwork.
"This conversion has been instrumental in improving efficiency and supporting the project’s overall progress," she explains.
"The ME&I zone has been required to deliver an enormous volume of work within compressed timeframes. This commercial team has been critical in ensuring the delivery team has the resources, frameworks and visibility needed to keep the works moving while maintaining robust cost control and forecasting accuracy."
Gareth Barrett, Commercial Director for the West Gate Tunnel Project, describes their contribution to the team as immeasurable.
"Not only for their commercial expertise but for their adaptability, problem-solving ability and commitment to achieving successful outcomes under pressure."
The success of this all-female commercial team highlights the increasing leadership and impact of women across all facets of the construction industry, reinforcing the value of diverse, skilled teams in delivering Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects.